Like a Boss - Annabelle Costa Page 0,88

Lily’s hand as I struggle with my two pieces of luggage. I really hope this guy is waiting for us and we don’t have to look everywhere for him. Dad is looking around, shading his eyes from the sun with his hand. That’s when I notice that there’s a man walking in the opposite direction of the passengers coming off the train. He’s clearly coming toward us.

It’s very sunny and I squint to see him better. The first thing I notice is the tousled dark blond hair and strong, solid build—this is a guy who should have no trouble throwing a couple of duffel bags over his broad shoulders. As he gets closer, I can see the muscles filling out his blue T-shirt. Damn, this guy is a hottie.

And then his features come into better focus. The stubble on his chin. The blue eyes. The solid jaw.

Oh my God.

It’s Noah.

Oh no.

_____

Not Noah. Anyone but Noah. Please, God, let him be here for some other coincidental reason completely unrelated to me and my father.

But no, I’m not that lucky. The man I haven’t seen in a decade strides in our direction and comes abruptly to a stop in front of us. I don’t see any trace of surprise on his face, which makes me think he knew I was Leonard Chapin’s daughter. He hasn’t been blindsided like I was.

I also notice he isn’t smiling. No big shock there.

“Mr. Chapin?” Noah nods at my father. “I’m Gwen’s son, Noah.”

“Nice to meet you!” Dad’s face lights up and he thrusts his hand in Noah’s direction. “Please, call me Lenny.”

My father has no idea who he is. Not a clue. He has no idea he’s already shaken Noah’s hand before and commanded him to call him Lenny. I, on the other hand, get a sickening sense of déjà vu.

“And this is my daughter, Bailey,” Dad tells him.

Noah faces me and one corner of his mouth lifts in something that is a poor excuse for a smile. “Actually,” he says. “Bailey and I have already met.”

“Have you?” Dad squints at Noah, clearly trying to place him. Mom would have known Noah in an instant. She loved Noah. But my father is struggling. It takes him several seconds, but finally, I see the color leave his face and I know he’s made the connection. “Oh. You’re…”

He doesn’t complete the sentence. I think we’re all grateful for that.

“What about me?” Lily yelps.

I laugh shakily. “Oh, um… Noah, this is my daughter, Lily.”

Noah looks down at her and offers his first genuine smile since we arrived. “Well, hello, Lily.”

Lily blushes and hides her face in my jeans. I think she’s smitten. I can’t entirely blame her. That bastard has only gotten handsomer in the time since I’ve last seen him. Back in college, he was good-looking, but now he’s gotten sexy. So sexy. His face has filled out and the muscles in his arms and chest seem more pronounced under the light blue T-shirt that makes his eyes look oh so blue. His blond hair always used to be shaggy back then, but now it’s clipped short and professional, making it look darker than it used to be.

I glance down at the fourth digit of his left hand. Bare, like mine.

“Let’s go to my car,” Noah says. He eyes my two bulging duffel bags. “I’ll carry those for you.”

“No, that’s okay,” I say quickly as I tighten my grip on the straps. “I can manage.”

He raises his eyebrows. “They look heavy.”

“No, don’t worry about it!” I say quickly. “They’re not as heavy as they look.”

Noah narrows his eyes at me, but then shakes his head. “Fine. Suit yourself.”

I regret my decision as the straps of the duffel bags dig into my shoulders. I hurry after Noah, who is walking just a little too quickly. As he pulls ahead of me, I examine the way he walks. He limps. It’s definitely noticeable if you’re looking for it. I glance over at my father, wondering if he’s noticing too.

Noah’s car is parked so far away, I’m beginning to feel like we probably could have walked to the cabin faster. I’m covered in sweat and there are painful grooves in my shoulders where the straps of the duffel bags have been digging in. When I see the gray Toyota 4Runner light up, I nearly collapse with relief—I drop my bags to the ground and rub my aching shoulders. Noah pops the trunk so I can throw the bags inside. I can’t